Prayer To Challenge without Being Critical of Persons
I WILL NOT CRITICIZE, NOT FIND FAULT
Across the globe we see news of protestors and demonstrations against a variety of causes – pandemic restrictions, racism, anti vaxxers, for and against political party platforms. One side criticizes the other. While shouting and singing and waving placards bring principles out to be considered, pushing and shoving and looting and burning really don’t seem to help any cause. We may disagree with the position another takes but we need to be careful and respectful in how we share our positions and respond to the positions of others.
It is so easy to find fault with what others are doing and to criticize them. The truth is, it doesn't help to focus on anyone’s flaws and failures, and it distracts from the time and energy we give to God's transforming work in our own lives. While we may think that we are controlling and changing other people by criticizing them, it rarely has that effect. God has a better option for us today.
God’s word reminds us:
God’s grace has been
given to me.
So here is what I say
to every one of you.
Don’t think of yourself
more highly than
you should. Be reasonable
when you think
about yourself.
Romans 12:3
Keep in mind the faith God
has given to each of you. If you
say or do things that harm
one another, watch out!
You could end up destroying
one another.
Galatians 5:15
Say only
what will help
to build others up
and meet
their needs.
Then what you say
will help
those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29
It’s important to know and follow truth, as God has given it to us in the Bible. We can challenge issues but we need to not criticize and find fault with individuals or react disagreeably or with hostility when we disagree.
Let’s ask God for wisdom, generosity of heart, and courage to speak the truth in love:
Heavenly Father,
We know that today we are on a journey of recovering the life You created us to live. We each have different challenges and character flaws, but God, we know You are working for positive change in all of us when we turn our will and our life over to Your care.
In the same way others accept us in our change process, we pray to be gracious in how we accept others who are at a different place in life or their journey than us.
If you continue
hurting each other
and tearing each
other apart,
be careful,
or you will
completely destroy
each other.
Galatians 5:15
Particularly when someone is struggling, instead of criticizing them, we ask You God to help us find opportunities to pray for them and even with them, if it is appropriate, so we support their healing and growth. Even though we might not immediately see any change in the person, give us comfort in knowing that as we pray for them and bless them that we are part of the solution rather than part of the problem. As we pray, would you enlarge our faith so we believe for doors to open and for You, God to have a chance to work a miracle in that person’s life.
Regardless of how challenged we are by the attitudes, words, or actions of others, would You help us to follow Your command to only speak those words that build others up and meet their needs. We welcome You today, Lord, to change our thinking and to give us a new perspective on how to treat others with whom we differ.
Forgive us Lord for thinking we are any less flawed than anyone else. Thank You for Your grace that is available to transform the thinking of all of us and deal with all our character defects. Make all of us more like Jesus, we pray. Help us to choose only to bless others today. Amen
A saying we often repeat in recovery meetings that seems to be appropriate for our thoughts today is;
Just for today I will be agreeable. I will not criticize, not find fault, and not try to improve or control anybody except myself. I will pray blessing on one person with whom I struggle to relate.
Let’s do that shall we.
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